The Everlasting Covenant (28 page)

“
Had I done things differently, I would have a daughter wed to an exile, an enemy! It is easy for you to criticize, to begrudge me what little I request, while you live in such luxury. You should thank me.
”

Anne looked at her mother with fury.
“
I will never thank you,
”
she said quietly.
“
I blame you!
”

The hardest truth Anne had borne in her life came to her in certainty that day. She had tried to control her mother with a mien of cooperation. She realized her mistake too late. She should have robbed Marcella of the chance to pursue this con
spiracy long ago. They would all be better off had she told Brennan the truth and refused to marry him. She would have been punished, exiled, perhaps sent to a convent
to bear her child in shame ..
. but she would not have found herself in these straits, with so many more people who could be hurt.

She would have to prove herself more clever than Marcella, or watch as her family, the Forbes family, suffered the conse
quences.

“
I am going to have Divina
’
s body brought here for burial. Her presence will serve to remind us both of the cost of this secret. And then I will join my husband in London. I desire that you stay here and even if you do not mourn Divina in your heart, you may act the part. And I warn you, madam, do not make the admission of my painful sin preferable to your devious manipulations.
”

“
You will change you
r
mind, Anne.
”

“
You had better hope so, madam.
”

***

“
I
’
m afraid it cannot be helped, my love,
”
Brennan said pa
tiently.
“
If I do not travel to Ramsford soon,
I
will be prevented from going at all. The winter winds will close the keep to visitors in another month.
”
Anne sighed wearily in response. They had been together for only a month.
“
Perhaps I will find a new man in my son,
”
Brennan went on.
“
Perhaps he has learned a valuable lesson and is ready to behave responsibly.
”
He sighed and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He decided he was not an un
handsome man for his age. And his wife did not wish to be separated from him. Few men had as much.
“
More likely I will find the same surly colt I left, I cannot say where I failed with Brainard. I thought I did all a father could do.
”

“
Brennan, I ..
.
”
She paused and chewed her lip. At some point she had to confront him. She could not think of a more difficult issue.
“
Brennan, I am afraid of Brainard. I am afraid for Sloan.
”

“
Sloan will have his due, I promise you that.
”

She patted her stomach, her pregnancy not yet obvious, but she was aware of the new babe. Conceived in June, the baby would come in the winter, in the city. She longed to give birth at Ayliffe, but unless she went now, before the heavy snows of winter, it would be impossible.
“
And if this is another son? How will you see to them all? I doubt Brainard will be docile while his estate is divided.
”

Brennan looked directly into her eyes.
“
I am a rich man. There is plenty.
”

She met his stare. Of course there was plenty, provided Brain
ard was generous, an unlikely possibility. It was unnecessary to explain this to Brennan, however. His eyes showed that he understood the unspoken worry.

“
I will be gone only a month, my love. And if I do not find better behavior in my son, I will take steps to protect my other children. I will warn Brainard only once.
”

She walked across the bedchamber and stood before him
.

She placed her hand against his chest and looked into his eyes.
“
Take very special care, Brennan. Brainard is a selfish, angry young man.
”
Anne was more than a little concerned that Brainard might harm his own father.

Brennan gave her a light kiss on the lips.
“
I will hurry back to you.
”

“
May I have your leave to go to our London house if the queen does not require me?
”

“
If that is your wish, but I cannot imagine you having time. Is it not your mission to find a lot of wives for your brothers from the queen
’
s own stock?
”

She smiled at him. He was so patient with the demands of her family.
“
I am more comfortable in our home. I would, of course, prefer Ayliffe.
”

Brennan
’
s eyes became wistful and soft, as if in memory. He looked away from her face.
“
I wish my son cared as much for Ayliffe as you. I would rest easier, even with respect to Sloan, if I thought Brainard treasured the place. But he has no idea what he has in that beautiful gem.
”

“
Brennan, it is a very rare man who does not become spoiled by such luxury. Just be very careful, my lord. Do not anger him any further.
”

***

In a month, Anne had not had a private audience with the queen, though she was often in her company with the other women. When Brennan had taken a small troop toward Rams
ford and Edward had ridden out for one last good hunt before winter fell hard on them, Anne took a rare liberty. She ventured to the queen
’
s chamber in the evening. She asked the guard to tell the queen she requested a moment and was informed that Elizabeth was with her brother, Anthony Woodville.
“
I will wait until she is finished with Lord Scales, if you will ask her to see me,
”
Anne quietly requested.

Anne was not surprised that Elizabeth invited her in. She found the queen seated within a round of large pillows and Anthony nearby. It appeared to be little more than a social visit between brother and sister.

Anne bowed low, and Elizabeth put her instantly at ease.
“
Be
comfortable, Anne. We will have music in a few moments. Did
I
hear the earl had some business abroad?
”

“
Aye, my liege, he is bound for his keep of Ramsford near Ludlow. His son resides there.
”

“
Ah ..
. that was it. I don
’
t think I remember his son. What brings you to me at such a late hour, Anne?
”

She glanced uncertainly at Anthony. He was a handsome, powerful man, gaining a strong reputation as the best knight in all Edward
’
s domain.
“
It was ..
. that is ... I had asked Your Majesty ...
”

“
You needn
’
t be shy with Lord Scales, pet. He will keep our secrets,
”
she said with a teasing smile.

“
‘
Tis not a secret, my liege, yet my kinsmen would wonder greatly at my part in this. It is for Madam deFrayne, late of Heathwick, that I make this request. Her husband and eldest son were killed at Saint Albans and her younger two sons fled the country in exile. Her homelands were taken and she has nothing, save her sons. They would swear fealty to Edward, if a compromise could be met.
”

“
DeFrayne? My liege, I know the deFrayne knights,
”
Anthony said.
“
I knew them well in Calais ..
. and other places. They are good fighters, good men.
”

“
I remember your request, dear Anne, but I did not find the time right to ask His Majesty to pardon more criminals.
”
Eliz
abeth smiled then.
“
Yet, when he has been away a-hunting he hears many requests with patience. If Anthony will vouch for the men, I will speak to the king.
”

“
I would speak on their behalf myself,
”
Anthony said.
“
Twas I who set Dylan deFrayne on the path of our cousin, Raynia Blakely, Lord Blakely
’
s only daughter. The little dark one. Do you remember her?
”

The queen made a face, but did not explain her expression.
“
He has married quite close. That should help.
”

“
In like, Cameron deFrayne wed a Neville cousin. Both wed
dings, I perceive, were managed for the sole purpose of returning the men to England.
”

“
I will see to it, Anne. Anthony will help.
”

“
I thank you, my liege. It is not for myself, but their family suffered grave losses, and they were once very strong. And if I may beg a courtesy
--
my kinsmen, most especially my mother, have little pity for them. They would mislike my aid to de
Fraynes.
”

“
Nothing will be said, sweeting. Many survived Saint Albans to come begging this sovereign for help.
”
Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked at Anne. Of course John Grey was killed in that battle as he fought for King
Henry. And so had Anthony Wood
ville fled England on account of his allegiance having been on the wrong side.

Anthony laughed graciously.
“
We will mention Saint Albans as little as possible in this request, little one. Certes, if we mention any battle, it is only to praise His Majesty
’
s great skill in fighting.
”

“
Among us, not even His Majesty enjoys remembrances of that black day,
”
Elizabeth said with a grimace.

Anne felt tears fill her eyes suddenly, an affliction she had not foreseen. She had been a little frightened to remind Eliz
abeth of this favor, and now she was overwhelmed at the thought of Dylan
’
s return. She was assailed by joy, fear, and a multitude of conflicting emotions. She tried to cover her tears by kissing the queen
’
s hands, but it was a clumsy and futile attempt.

“
Here, sweeting, what is it? I bless you for your sympathy for Madam deFrayne, but my lady, why do you weep?
”

Anne sat back on her heels before the queen and wiped self
-
consciously at her tears.
“
I ..
. oh, Your Majesty, I find this happens to me often these days. I weep for no reason, or for some sentimental silliness. ... I am enceinte, and sometimes I wish I felt ill rather than suffer this affliction. It mortifies me so.
”

Elizabeth
’
s hand was gentle on her cheek.
“
Dear sweet, do not be embarrassed ... not with me.
”
With a finger under her chin, she forced Anne to meet her eyes.
“
Are you well?
”

“
Oh yes, my liege.
”

“
You are so pleased for Madam deFrayne? Do you know her
sons?
”

“
Nay, my liege ..
. that is, I am pleased for her and her sons, but I a
m not acquainted. My family ..
. their youngest, Sir Dylan, was a prisoner in our home once, but was r
eleased. His mother will be ..
.
”
Her voice trailed off, her excuses combined with her undignified blubbering confused her request and di
minished her courtly appearance.

Elizabeth sat back, studying Anne.
“
Perhaps you should not pursue the matter any further. Anthony will see it done.
”

“
Aye, Your Majesty.
”

“
You must be excused until you feel better. Leave the matter with us and go with a light heart. We love you so. You must stay well.
”

The suspicious look in the queen
’
s eyes did not comfort Anne. Anne gave the matter serious thought. If she was driven to such extremes by mere mention of Dylan, how would she react when she actually saw him? She would see him if Anthony brought him home. She remembered the chance meeting with Daphne, and it caused her to shudder.